[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOSTER CITY

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 1996

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, on the 25th anniversary of the 
founding of Foster City, CA to pay tribute to the city and its citizens 
for building an exemplary community.
  Foster City was originally founded and developed by T. Jack Foster. 
In 1960 he acquired the 4 square miles known as Brewers Island in order 
to begin building a vision that today we honor as a dream fulfilled. 
The original concept was to develop a balanced community able to 
function physically, economically, and socially to meet the needs and 
desires of its residents.
  A massive construction operation was necessary to convert the land 
into a new city of the future. Eighteen million cubic yards of fill 
were necessary to provide gradient for the storm water runoff and cover 
for the utility lines as well as support for the buildings. Two hundred 
and thirty acres of lagoons had to be created to collect the storm 
water and hold it for pumping into the Bay. Drinking water was later 
brought to Foster City through the City of San Mateo from the San 
Francisco water system.
  Foster City faced a number of adversities both political and 
physical. The engineering challenge of creating Foster City from the 
marshlands of Brewer's Island required enormous financial backing, but 
this did not deter its developers. For 5 years the Foster City 
Community Association fought an intense legal battle with the district 
board to obtain incorporation of the city. Despite the daunting task, 
the citizens of Foster City overcame the mire of bureaucracy to deliver 
on a promise that T. Jack Foster had originally envisioned. On April 
27, 1971 Foster City was incorporated thus establishing a council/city 
manager form of local government with a five member city council. By 
1971 there were more than 10,000 residents of this emerging community, 
and they voted to incorporate as a city. Since that time, public 
facilities, commercial developments, and new homes have continued to be 
built.

  Foster City is a community of people dedicated to the purpose of 
education and maintaining the quality of life of the community. In 
keeping with these commitments, 1996 marks the opening of a new 
library, a remodeled recreation center, and an updated Brewer Island 
Elementary School. Foster City remains a planned community today--
dedicated to the fundamental values that ultimately enrich America as a 
whole.
  Today, Foster City is widely regarded in the San Francisco Bay Area 
as one of the preeminent communities in which to live. Prosperity has 
come with stability. It is the proud home of over 30,000 people. It is 
especially meaningful for me to be able to rise today on behalf of each 
of those citizens to pay tribute to the city they call home.
  Mr. Speaker, on this day, I invite my colleagues to join me in 
honoring the celebration of Foster City's Silver Anniversary, and I 
invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating the community of 
Foster City for its admirable accomplishments and outstanding 
determination.

                          ____________________